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Craftsmen

Wood processing and husbandry, activities which were intensely practiced in these parts of Transylvania, have further influenced the development of the local crafts.

The surrounding mountain region and the richness and variety of forests have triggered the development of a genuine "wood civilization" in these regions. Wood used to be an essential raw matter for building houses, heating homes and making work tools. Thus, coopers, carpenters and wheelwrights started to appear together with many other craftsmen who used wood as their main raw material.

The craft of fur and leather tanning grew from an ancient occupation that used to be known by every household, as each local was able to prepare furs for tanning and leathers for dressing and make sandals, sheepskin coats, vests and other pieces of clothing based on traditional recipes.

The need to make light summer clothes or other vegetal or animal fibre textiles has led to the development of weaving and spinning. These occupations were generally practiced by women and the organization of şezători (sittings of almost all the women in a village where, besides sawing, weaving and spinning they would also tell stories and riddles and sing traditional songs) has allowed for these crafts to be passed on from generation to generation.

At the beginning of the 18th century the villages around Sibiu came across the art of glass painting. Villagers would paint mostly at night, after having worked in the fields or in wintertime. They used only natural colours mixed with animal fat, egg yolk and linseed oil. Icon painting was not a simple job. Its purpose was to picture saints, therefore the painter had to go through some spiritual preparation; before starting to paint, he would fast and say a prayer.

Craftsmen and artisans have passed their occupation on from generation to generation and they are always happy to share their trade secrets with their guests.